Posted by Bill on August 22, 2001 at 13:25:15:
In Reply to: mouthing technique posted by Weekend Bender on August 22, 2001 at 06:56:41:
: I'm sure someone here can help me with this question, first a little backround. I've been at this harp for about a year and I can make some cool sounds, my breathing is just now becomming adequate. Over the year I started tilting the open end of the harp up slightly to help bend notes. I believe that with this technique I also covered part of the bottom of the holes making the entire airway slightly smaller. Now that I have a little stronger breathing I have to use the entire hole and I sometimes get a pretty ugly airy noise (naturally the most noticably on the 2 and 3 hole). I've recently found that when, as suggested on this site, I put the harp further into my mouth I get away from that ugly sound. When I do this I'm still placing more of my upper lip on the harp than my lower lip. I suppose it's just habbit from previous bending practice. My question, is this a normal practice I can use or a bad habbit that I will eventually want to break.
: Thanks in advance.
: Weekend Bender
Sounds like your on the way to better playing! Placing the harmonica further in you mouth really helps tone. There will be some variations in lip positioning on the harp while making creative bends and sound effects... this is normal. The more you're able to control these effects by directing airflow with your mouth and breathing techniques, the better you sound/tone will be.
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Bill
www.geocities.com/mottabona/Harmonica.html